Dentures and Dental Implants Seattle

Reduced saliva flow that results in a dry mouth is a common problem among older adults. It is caused by certain medical disorders and is often a side effect of medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers and diuretics. Some of the common problems associated with dry mouth include: – Constant sore throat – Burning sensation – Problems speaking – Difficulty swallowing – Hoarseness or dry nasal passages Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive cavities can form. Your dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture. For example, sugar-free candy or gum stimulates saliva flow, and moisture can be replaced by using artificial saliva and oral rinses. Another issue that can affect older adults is a loss of appetite due to a change in your sense of taste. Besides an age-related decrease in the sense of taste and smell, certain diseases, me...

Maintaining proper nutrition is important for everyone, young or old but many older adults find it difficult to eat a balanced diet. They may avoid meats, raw vegetables and fresh fruits because they have trouble chewing or swallowing. These problems can be caused by painful teeth, ill-fitting dentures, dry mouth or changes in facial muscles. Others find their sense of taste has changed, sometimes due to a disease or certain medications. As a result, older adults often have diets lacking in calcium, protein and other nutrients essential to dental and overall health. A balanced diet has to be based on the five food groups: – Milk and dairy products – Breads and cereals – Meats and dried beans – Fruits – Vegetables Sometimes a multi-vitamin or mineral supplement will help but its best to use supplements only after discussion with your physician. If your teeth are stopping you from eating the food you enjoy or that you need for good health your dentist will be able to help you find a solu...

It would be easy to get overwhelmed by the huge range of dental care products now available. Even looking just at toothbrushes present a wide range of choices. There are hundreds of manual and powered toothbrushes to choose from. Start by looking for products that carry the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance – this is an important symbol of a the product’s safety and effectiveness. When you buy a toothbrush, replace it every three to four months. Replace it sooner if the bristles become frayed as a worn toothbrush will not clean your teeth properly. Make it easy for your children to brush their teeth by choosing a child-sized toothbrush and make it more interesting for them by selecting fun colors and designs. Often people who have difficulties with hand, arm or shoulder movements find that powered toothbrushes are the best choice. However, it’s also possible to make a few small changes to modify a manual toothbrush and make it easier to use. For example...

Removable partial dentures usually involve replacement teeth attached to plastic bases, connected by metal framework. They attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or precision attachments. Precision attachments generally look better than metal clasps and are nearly invisible. Crowns may be required on your natural teeth to improve the fit of a removable partial denture. When you first get a partial denture, it may feel awkward or bulky. But you will gradually get used to wearing it. It will also take a bit of practice to get used to inserting and removing the denture. It should fit into place easily and you should never force it. Your dentist may suggest that you wear your partial denture all the time at first. While it will be uncomfortable for a while, it will help you identify if any parts of the denture need adjustment. After making adjustments, your dentist will probably recommend that you take the denture out of your mouth before going to bed and replace it in the morning....

Oral cancer is not as well known as other types of cancer but it can represent a life-threatening risk if not identified early. – It strikes an estimated 35,000 Americans each year – More than 7,500 people (5,200 men and 2,307 women) die of these cancers each year – More than 25% of Americans who get oral cancer will die of the disease – On average, only half of those diagnosed with the disease will survive more than five years – African-Americans are especially vulnerable; the incidence rate is 1/3 higher than whites and the mortality rate is almost twice as high Although the use of tobacco and alcohol are risk factors in developing oral cancer, approximately 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors. There has been a nearly five-fold increase in incidence in oral cancer patients under age 40, many with no known risk factors. The incidence of oral cancer in women has increased significantly, largely due to an increase in women smoking. In 1950 the male to female ratio was...

Implants are one of the most important developments in dental care over recent years. They have created opportunities that didn’t exist before for people to improve their dental health and create the smile they want. Implants were discovered by Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon Dr. P.I. Brnemark and they have transformed the quality of life for people who have missing teeth. The basis of a dental implant is a titanium rod about 1cm long. This is placed inside the jawbone and is designed to serve the same purpose as tooth roots. Implants can either be used to replace lost teeth or to help keep dentures in place more securely. One of the reaons implants have changed dental care so much is that, previously, there was often no other way to replace missing teeth permanently. And there are many people who cannot tolerate removable dentures or don’t want to wear them for some other reason. The introduction of implants had made a big change in their lives.

Though many of us say we brush our teeth regularly, you get the best results by making sure you brush properly. Here are the steps you should follow: First, place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Then, move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use the “toe” of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke. Finally, brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath. As well as brushing your teeth, you should floss them every day. Heres how to floss for best results. Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Then wind the remaining floss around the same finger on the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your...

Your dentures are designed to last a very long time so its important that you take care of them as you would take care of your own teeth. They are very delicate and may break easily if dropped even a few inches. So its a good idea to stand over a folded towel or a basin of water when handling dentures. When you are not wearing your dentures, store them away from children and pets. Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily to remove food deposits and plaque. Brushing helps prevent dentures from becoming permanently stained and helps your mouth stay healthy. There are special brushes designed for cleaning dentures but a toothbrush with soft bristles can also be used. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes as these can damage your dentures. Some denture wearers also use hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid for cleaning and thats fine. But avoid using powdered household cleansers, which may be too abrasive. Also, avoid using bleach, as this may whiten the pink portion of t...

If you have any kind of swelling in your gum, it almost certainly indicates a serious infection that should be treated urgently. Dental abscesses result from a bacterial infection in the teeth or gums. For example, it may come from an untreated cavity. Cavities result when some of the bacteria in our mouths mix with sugars and starches in our diet to produce acid. This acid attacks the hard enamel coating of our teeth and, as the cavity gets deeper, it eventually infects the nerve and blood supply of the tooth. In some cases, a dental abscess is caused by an infection of the gum. Bone loss from gum disease can create a pocket between the tooth, gum and bone. When bacteria and other debris get into this pocket, an abscess can form. The treatment for an abscess depends on how severe the infection is. If the abscess has been caused by decay, root canal treatment may be needed or the tooth may even have to be removed. If the abscess has been caused by the gum, the gum will...

Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your dentist examines your mouth so an X-ray examination can reveal important additional information: For example, X-rays can help show: – Small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing fillings – Infections in the bone – Gum disease – Abscesses or cysts – Developmental abnormalities – Some types of tumors The way they work is that more X-rays are absorbed by the denser parts (such as teeth and bone) than by soft tissues (such as cheeks and gums). This creates an image called a radiograph. Tooth decay, infections and signs of gum disease appear darker because of more X-ray penetration. The interpretation of these radiographs allows the dentist to safely and accurately detect hidden abnormalities. The frequency of X-rays (radiographs) will depend on your specific health needs. Your dentist will review your history, examine your mouth and decide whether you need radiographs and what type. When y...

For many patients, the dental cleaning appointment may seem little more than a more complicated version of brushing your teeth. However, this appointment plays a crucial role in patient education and prevention of dental disease. The appointment is called a “dental prophylaxis,” or “prophy” and it’s one of the most important steps in your dental care program. Here are some of the elements that it may include, depending on your needs: – Oral hygiene evaluation – Tooth brushing and flossing instructions – Scaling above the gum to remove plaque and tartar – Debridement of tartar beneath the gum – Polishing the teeth – Periodontal charting It’s important to remove plaque from the teeth as it ultimately forms a hard, rough sediment known as tartar or calculus, which must be removed by a dental professional to help prevent periodontal disease. Polishing the teeth removes stains and creates a feeling of fresh breath and a clean mouth. The hygienist or dentist may reco...

Removable partial dentures usually involve replacement teeth attached to plastic bases, connected by metal framework. They attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or precision attachments’. Precision attachments generally look better than metal clasps and are nearly invisible. Crowns may be required on your natural teeth to improve the fit of a removable partial denture. When you first get a partial denture, it may feel awkward or bulky. But you will gradually get used to wearing it. It will also take a bit of practice to get used to inserting and removing the denture. It should fit into place easily and you should never force it. Your dentist may suggest that you wear your partial denture all the time at first. While it will be uncomfortable for a while, it will help you identify if any parts of the denture need adjustment. After making adjustments, your dentist will probably recommend that you take the denture out of your mouth before going to bed and replace it i...

Dental implants are increasingly popular as a way to replace missing or damaged teeth. Their great advantage is that they look natural and feel secure helping you to restore your smile and eat more easily. Implants are an ideal solution for many people but they are not an option for everyone. Placing implants requires some surgery so patients must be in good health, have healthy gums and have adequate bone to support the implant. They must also be committed to taking action to maintain their oral hygiene and to visiting the dentist regularly. The process for placing implants is as follows: First, surgery is performed to place the anchor. This can take up to several hours. Following the surgery, you may need to wait up to six months for the bone to grow around the anchor and firmly hold it in place. Sometimes follow up surgery is required to attach a post to connect the anchor to the replacement teeth. Alternatively, the anchor and post may already be attached and are place...

Sensitive teeth is a common problem that causes many people to feel discomfort with hot or cold foods and drinks. It can also make it uncomfortable to brush or floss the teeth and therefore can lead to further oral problems. However, sensitive teeth can be treated. If you suffer from this, your dentist may suggest that you try a desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. For desensitizing toothpaste to work, you normally have to make several applications. If the desensitizing toothpaste does not help, your dentist may suggest further solutions. For example, fluoride gel – which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations – may be applied to the sensitive areas of the teeth. If the sensitivity is caused by receding gums, your dentist may use bonding agents that “seal” the sensitive teeth. The sealer is usually made of a plastic material. If there is severe hy...

Root canal therapy is an important treatment that can save a tooth with a diseased nerve and which in the past would probably have needed to be removed. Inside each tooth is the ‘pulp’ which runs like a thread down through the root and provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth. It is the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. If the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. Both of these problems can let bacteria enter the pulp. So, if you don’t remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. After the dentist – or endodontist (a dentist who specializes in problems of the pulp) – removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger. Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure involving one to three visits with little or no discomfort. ...

When diabetes is not controlled properly, high glucose levels in saliva may create problems that lead to an increased risk of tooth decay. Your teeth are covered with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria. After you eat food that contains sugars or starches, the bacteria react with these sugars to release acids that attack tooth enamel. This can cause the enamel to break down and may eventually result in cavities. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth with floss or an interdental cleaner helps remove decay-causing plaque. Plaque that is not removed can eventually harden into calculus, or tartar. When tartar collects above the gumline, it becomes more difficult to clean thoroughly between teeth. This can lead to chronic inflammation and infection in the mouth. Because diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. Periodontal diseases are infections of the gum and bone that hold your...

Bad breath – which is also known as halitosis – is a worrying problem that can also be embarrassing. But there’s no need to put up with it. If you suffer from bad breath, your dentist will be able to suggest a range of solutions. Your dentist will be able to spot problems such as gum disease, dry mouth or other disorders. That’s why it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, schedule regular visits to the dentist and have professional cleaning. Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day and clean between your teeth each day using floss or interdental cleaners. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too! If your dental check up shows that your mouth is healthy, your dentist may refer you to your family physician as sometimes bad breath can be a sign of other health problems. If the odor is due to periodontal (gum) disease, sometimes professional periodontal cleaning is needed to remove the bacteria and plaque that accumulate. And your dentist may recommend a special antimicrob...

Many patients ask whether wisdom teeth are really necessary since so many people have them removed. The fact is that wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. However, problems can occur that sometimes make it better to have them removed. For example, when the jaw isn’t large enough, the wisdom teeth can become impacted – misaligned or unable to grow in properly. They may grow sideways, emerge only part way from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. The reasons wisdom teeth may have to be extracted include: – The teeth have only partially erupted. This leaves an opening for bacteria which cause infection. – There is a chance the wisdom teeth will damage adjacent teeth. – A cyst forms which may destroy surrounding structures such as bone or tooth roots. Ask your dentist about the health and positioning of your wisdom teeth. Your dentist will tell you if there are any issues and will recommend any steps needed...